Aug 6
Trailer - MTV Movies Blog - Forever Strong
MTV Movies Team wrote:
Published by MTV Movies Team on Tuesday, August 5, 2008 at 11:09 am.I know what you’re thinking: not another rugby movie! We jest of course. “Forever Strong,” while clearly following the treasured sports film model of many that have come before it, at least delves into a sport that’s rarely, if at all, been shown off on screen. And it stars an attractive young cast by way of Sean Faris, Arielle Kebbel, and Penn Badgley. Here’s your first exclusive look.
20 Comments so far
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A haka is a maori tradition….in no way should Americans be performing them, and in no way should american football teams be performing them, as they are starting to do. It’s just something “cool” to do in the states, and is totally devoid of history and meaning.
About freaking time I’ve seen a Rugby film about to come out
the only problem is this is to much of an individual players advertises. Instead of the teams, and that is what Rugby is all about there needs to be a film that covers what “Remember the Titans” dealed with the challenges of a team still I would like to see this film.
I agree, the Haka should only be performed by the people who know what it means. Let the Maori to it and leave it out of American sports. Its not a football tradition. Rugby is more of a gentleman’s sport than football,
It may not be about a team and it may snag the haka from All Blacks, but it will open up rugby to alot of americans who haven’t been exposed to the sport. Good job guys, you may have added the final spark to alot of young men and women to go out and try rugby.
I agree with James, although it seems like the Haka is getting nicked from N.Z. the exposure of rugby to America could only benefit the sport. The average American couldn’t tell you anything about it. That fact that the Haka is being used is probably only to add to the exotic element rugby already poses to the American People. Whether Americans understand it or not, at least more of them will have heard of rugby.
I think it might be hard to see how they use it just from the trailer. I guess I’m just trying to say we should all probably see the film before we start saying that the way they use it is devoid of meaning or history.
How old are these boys? You would think if they were college( even high school or club teams) they would be a hell of a lot bigger…cause they are.
In response to James, Zach, Jaden & Remi.
Remi: Have you watched the Forever Strong: Behind the Scenes - Part 4? video? Maori tribe gave him their blessings to use the HAKA.
Jaden: “Remember the Titans” is about racism and the forced desegregation of a high school. I’m sure this movie has some team issues that they deal with; thankfully its not about racism and desegregation. Check out: Forever Strong: Behind the Scenes - Part 2 it shows the real-life coach expressing his philosophy on teamwork, the team-motto, community service; its pretty good.
Zach: Highland knows what the haka means and they have their own version - i found this in the forever strong pressroom - just enter your info anyone can sign up.
I think everyone of you guys need to just watch the Behind the scenes videos. Watch them; then make comments about how the haka is portrayed or if they are just doing the haka because it looks cool.
http://www.youtube.com/user/foreverstrongmovie
James: See response to Remi & Jaden behind the scenes videos
Are you sure the All Blacks are the originators of the haka? Read below:
This guy has been coaching for 33+ years
Are you guys kidding me??? If the haka is supposed to be a sacred tradition that the maori people only do; why is New Zealand commercializing the haka? Why are they using the haka as one of their main tools to help sell people on tourism?? If the haka was that sacred they wouldn’t have it displayed on their website; yet we’re upset that the haka is spreading into other cultures? I think the Moari culture is getting what it wants; global awareness.
Check this ad out:
http://www.newzealand.com/travel/about-nz/features/haka-feature/haka.cfm
Highland rugby plays in the Under 19 league instead of High School so they have exchange students, or something like that, for New Zealand that play for them. I do agree that in any other case, if you don’t even have anyone on your team that have the Haka culture they shouldn’t preform it. ESPECIALLY if you’re a football team. Lol,
Looks like a good movie especially since its about rugby. Hopefully it will bring good exposure to the sport to the mainstream. The only thing I have against it is because its about Highland. They are my old school’s biggest challenge for Nationals but match up always produces a great game to watch though.
I’m glad someone is making a rugby movie because it is an amazing sport. It is too bad that they chose Highland to make the movie about, they cheat, they ship in players for other countries right before national playoffs and don’t win on their own merit. I doubt the movie will show that side of their story. But its about time for rugby on the big screen and hopefully more people will start playing so the US can have some dignity in the world rugby community.
ummm, if the haka is strictly for the maori, I see plenty of pakeha doing it for the all blacks, the tall blacks, and any other team that’s going out for local and international sport. nothing like seeing a 7 foot euro doing a haka on a basketball court to the us team ala athens olympics
U called rugby a gentlemen’s sport!!! Plz i’ve been playing rugby four years and there is nothing gentle about that sport. Gotta love it thoh!!!
Rugby’s called the gentlemen’s game played by hooligans..damn dudes I had no idea highland brought in players from other countries like NZ, that lame no wonder theyve only lost a handful of games in 30 years..
The Haka is part of Maori Tradition. Utah (where Highland is located) has a very large Maori population due to the spread of Mormanism. That is why the Haka is performed by Highland before their bigger games.
Oh and it finally good to see a Rugby movie where the teammates aren’t eating eachother!
As a kiwi living in the US, im on the fence, the haka is a national Icon but the more exposure NZ the Haka and rugby can get the better.
I think Rugby League is where it’s at & it’s alot more along the lines of NFL the US public could relate to it more.
I’d like to see either footy rival UFC for ratings one day!
I am really excited to see this movie in my hometown theater, I saw the previews at the registration at the 2008 mens rugby sweet 16 in new Mexico. On the Haka, as long as it keeps its the tradition and adds integrity to the sport let t be. At Arkansas State Rugby we have never performed a haka before a match because whe have americans South Africans, and a few Fijians on the team. We came to a consensus that we wont. But we have been taught a haka from every players country except the us.
The haka is the Moari name for a south-pacific islander ritual. All the Polynesian tribes had/have the same style of dance ritual, even the Hawaiians, it is just that NZ and the All Blacks have made it popular (and no you don’t have to be a tribe member to do the ritual just blessed by the right dude).
Good to see a rugby movie, but rugby is about a team not one guy.
Oh: “Rugby is a hooligan’s game played by gentlemen, and Soccer is a gentleman’s played by holligans.” I don’t know who said it but it is an old saying.